The Top Hotel in Every State

Travel is about the experiences and places you explore, but a bad hotel can turn a travel experience into a nightmare. With thousands of hotels to choose from, how can you be sure you’ll enjoy the best vacation without any unpleasantries while you’re catching your zzz’s? Sure, you can read review after review on sites like TripAdvisor, but U.S. News & World Report makes it even easier for you by scouring 30,000 properties across North America and Europe to find the best of the best.

For the 10th consecutive year, U.S. News unveiled the Best Hotels Rankings, finding that 41 hotels in the U.S. have consistently remained in the top 10 percent. Examining luxury hotels and resorts — because, really, how well can that budget hotel on the corner compete with the likes of, say, a Four Seasons? — the report ranked them by number of accolades, hotel class and guest ratings.

While the list of properties that make the grade is extensive, we give you the best hotel in every state, plus Washington, D.C.

Alabama: The Westin Huntsville

CVent

Location: Huntsville

This Westin, located in the home of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, is out of this world with an inviting space that welcomes people as well as their pets. Rooms are your basic double queen or king, but it’s the comfort, onsite dining, relaxing pool and lakefront location that leaves 80 percent of guests raving about a return. Of course, the proximity to the space center is the true allure. Who wouldn’t want to experience anti-gravity like the astronauts do?

Alaska: The Hotel Alyeska

Location: Anchorage

Whether visiting during the snow-covered winter for skiing and fat-tire biking or during the summer, when the ski gondolas transport hikers and bikers to scenic peaks before invigorating downhills in the great Alaskan outdoors, the Alyeska’s location makes it top-notch. This resort has it all, including a spa for those who don’t want to do anything at all.

Arizona: The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician

Marriott International / The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician

Location: Scottsdale

The Grand Dame of Phoenix-area hotels, The Phoenician is already considered one of the best resorts in the country. But the new Canyon Suites? Well, they’re just icing on the cake. This boutique hotel within the hotel features just 60 rooms and 5-star experiences, including exclusive resort activities and dining that will spoil you rotten.

Arkansas: Capital Hotel

Capital Hotel

Location: Little Rock

Known as the capital city’s “front porch,” the Capital has been servicing guests with Southern style and grace since 1876. Oversized guest rooms are meant to be your home away from home, as well as “huggable” — yes, this historic hotel leaves behind stuffiness of other luxe resorts in favor of making you feel as if you’re staying at grandma’s. That is, a very well-groomed and stylish grandma.

California: Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

Booking.com

Location: Rancho Santa Fe

A Mediterranean-inspired Relais & Chateaux resort located just outside of San Diego, the Rancho Valencia Resort is the epitome of a resort that is the vacation. Soak by the pool, spend time on the courts or links, get pampered at the spa, indulge in fine dining, then retire to your casita (all rooms are suites) for your best night sleep. You won’t want to leave.

Colorado: The Broadmoor

The Broadmoor

Location: Colorado Springs

For more than 100 years, The Broadmoor has welcomed visitors to the Rocky Mountains with warm hospitality and a sprawling lakeside resort that provides a stomping ground for outdoor activities, from hiking to horseback riding to zip-lining. It’s a stylish resort filled with all the bells and whistles one wants when escaping from everyday life, and it’s considered Colorado’s best.

Connecticut: Mayflower Inn & Spa

Mayflower Inn & Spa / Auberge Resorts Collection

Location: Washington

In Western Connecticut’s rolling hills of Litchfield County, the Mayflower Inn resides over 58 wooded acres to provide a traditional New England setting. Catering to Manhattanites needing a country break, visit an inn with inviting sitting rooms and parlors, a library with a cozy fireplace, a family-run (and family-friendly) farm and a setting that inspires wellness retreats.

Delaware: Hotel Du Pont

Trivago

Location: Wilmington

Visit the largest city in the small state of Delaware and enjoy its theater district, particularly the Grand Opera House and DuPont Theater. After the curtains have dropped, walk mere steps to the Hotel Du Pont, which aims to continue your artistic evening with a property that oozes drama. The multi-story, prestigious — and imposing — property will wow from the moment you enter with its ornate design that continues into the dining rooms, where even the dishes prepared are works of art.

Florida: Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach

Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach

Location: Sunny Isles Beach

Oh, they’ll say they are a Miami Beach hotel, but Acqualina is actually found just north of Miami Beach on the quieter Sunny Isles beachfront. Rather than hot cars cruising A1A and beaches crowded with barely there bikinis, Acqualina is a Miami oasis of perfectly groomed white sand and green grass surrounding multiple clear-blue pools and abutting the Atlantic Ocean. The oversized rooms and suites are awash in neutral decor with shiny accents, all with floor-to-ceiling windows and balcony doors that frame the colorful beauty awaiting outside.

Georgia: The Cloister at Sea Island

The Cloister at Sea Island

Location: Sea Island

Many may forget that Georgia has a coastline — about 100 miles worth due to multiple Golden Isles — which means you might have missed Sea Island. Don’t! This island resort features a number of vacation rentals and hotel options of which The Cloister is the best. You’ll feel as if you are transported to yesteryear when you encounter the moss-draped, tree-lined road that leads up to the property, where rooms are furnished straight out of the best home and garden outfitters imaginable. You’ll dine overlooking the banks of a river or the Atlantic Ocean, which you can reach via bicycle — likely the most energy you’ll exert as you soak up the sun and Southern atmosphere in one of the country’s top-awarded resorts.

Hawaii: Four Seasons Resort Lanai

Barbara Kraft / Four Seasons

Location: Lanai

If you’re going to spend the time and money to fly hours to the South Pacific to visit one of the rainforest-filled islands of Hawaii, why not go the extra distance and sample a sumptuous stay at the Four Seasons? Lanai, one of the less-frequented islands with the most Polynesian ambiance, is home to this resort that aims to blend itself into its environment yet doesn’t skimp on luxurious details, accommodations or dining. (There’s a Nobu!) Stroll through the property’s exotic gardens and take a dip in a lagoon-style pool built right into the volcanic rock that formed the island for a getaway like no other.

Idaho: Inn at 500 Capitol

Inn at 500 Capitol

Location: Boise

Boise may have an abundance of your generic brand hotels, but for a real treat while visiting Idaho’s capital, it’s the Inn at 500 Capitol you’ll want, according to the U.S. News list. Located in the heart of downtown with shuttle service to help you enjoy the city’s offerings, the rather large inn is a boutique hotel with a Boho vibe and decor. Grab a cruiser bicycle (they are free!), and get your art on at the nearby museum and university. And don’t forget to enjoy the farm-to-table spread at the Inn’s Richard’s, headed by a James Beard–nominated chef. The menu features locally sourced ingredients from the Capital City Public Market.

Illinois: The Langham

Booking.com

Location: Chicago

Of the few Langham hotels found across the country, the pinnacle can be found in the Windy City, where the Langham’s luxury sweeps in like a tornado that touched down and covered the space in refined elements. From the sparkling marble and glass seen upon checking in to well-appointed rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows providing unobstructed views of Chicago, the Langham racks up awards for its accommodations, dining, services and amenities. One of the few city properties to provide a full play space for children, not to mention a Cinema Suite for enjoying movies when you’re not up for a walk along the adjoining Chicago River, the treats seem endless at the Langham.

Indiana: West Baden Springs Hotel

French Lick Resort

Location: French Lick

In Southern Indiana, not far from Louisville, Kentucky, amidst the trees of Hoosier National Forest, awaits what was once billed the “Eighth Wonder of the World” — West Baden Springs Hotel. For more than 150 years, the National Historic Landmark has served as a destination resort, and to this day, you can experience the grandeur once experienced in days of old, including afternoon tea in the stunning atrium, flanked by guest rooms overlooking the sun-filled space. They just don’t build ’em like this anymore!

Iowa: The Merrill Hotel & Conference Center

The Merrill

Location: Muscatine

Although it may not compete at quite the same level as other properties on this list, The Merrill is a gem of Iowa, where hotels are not often given the luxury treatment. The 4-star hotel is a boutique property located along the Mississippi River that affords views of the Mighty one from its dining and conference spaces, as well as comfortable accommodations. As they say in real estate: “Location, location, location!”

Kansas: Ambassador Hotel Wichita

Marriott International / Autograph Collection Hotels / Ambassador Hotel Wichita

Location: Wichita

Consistently ranked as the best hotel in the state by numerous in-the-know travel pros, the stately Ambassador is awash in regal purple, white and gray for a contemporary and stylish setting in an Art Deco building. You’ll enjoy all you’d expect from a Marriott, as well as two foodie-loving restaurants that make a stay here anything but run of the mill.

Kentucky: 21c Museum Hotel Louisville

21c Museum Hotel Louisville

Location: Louisville

This is not just a hotel. This is a museum hotel. A brand-new boutique property concept, 21c Museum Hotel is a contemporary art museum with multiple venues that just so happens to feature 91 rooms for guests to enjoy after taking in its more than 9,000 square feet of exhibition space — available to peruse for free! Formerly made up of warehouses, the new property outfitted rooms to feel like home, although perhaps you’d like to experience sleeping immersed in art in the Cyclone, a sculptural installation (shown) completely designed by artists Jonah Freeman and Justin Lowe.

Louisiana: Windsor Court Hotel

Windsor Court Hotel

Location: New Orleans

One thing they don’t tell you when regaling about Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, the French Quarter, Bourbon Street or the Garden District of New Orleans is just how darn hot it can be. Have yourself a grand ole time in this sensuous Louisiana city, but then retire in peace to the Windsor Court Hotel. Not only does the property provide a quiet and stylish haven from the frenzy outside, its rooftop saltwater pool also cools you off while giving you some of the best views of the city.

Maine: The Captain Lord Mansion

The Captain Lord Mansion

Location: Kennebunkport

The seaport town of Kennebunkport, Maine, is classic New England — as well as the summer home of the Bush family. Strolling through the historic village, visitors explore boutiques and art galleries and dine on the fresh catch brought in by the morning fishermen. When in a seafaring district, be the captain of your vacation with a stay in a former shipbuilder’s mansion that’s now a charming bed and breakfast. As you go to sleep beside your in-room fireplace, you’ll get a sense what landlubber life was like for captains before you.

Maryland: Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore

Christian Horan / Four Seasons

Location: Baltimore

From the historically charming to the modernly sleek, the Four Seasons Hotel along Baltimore’s Harbor stands out in a crowd. With its windowed tower, the 5-star property acts as a beacon in the east harbor, offering guests water taxi rides as well as waterfront attractions and restaurants within mere steps. That is, of course, if the hotel doesn’t entice you to stay put with its rooftop swimming pool, fabulous spa or Spanish-inspired restaurant. Another one-of-a-kind perk? The hotel offers catamaran usage for guests during the summer.

Massachusetts: Wequassett Resort and Golf Club

Wequasett Resort and Golf Club

Location: Cape Cod

The Wequassett of Harwich is a sprawling, yet intimate Cape Cod property offering beach and marina access with accommodations that will make you feel as if you rented a home for your retreat. (Villas, cottages and a private residence are available.) The waterfront pool and dining get the best views, which is OK, as you’ll spend the majority of the time here, when not on the water or enjoying the tennis courts or 18-hole golf course. Kids especially enjoy the Wequassett, where a pirate-themed kids club and splash playground offer supervised playtime.

Michigan: Grand Hotel

Grand Hotel

Location: Mackinac Island

If you dream of traveling back in time, northern Michigan’s island hotel will certainly help get you there. Located on Mackinac Island, where car use is limited and instead horse and buggy and bicycles are the means of transportation, the Grand Hotel was the filming location of the time-traveling classic, “Somewhere in Time.” Looking as it did when it was first built in 1887 (with modern upgrades, of course), the sweeping wraparound porch overlooks the water and has served as a place for quiet summer reflection for generations. Multiple restaurants and countless activities make this seasonal resort a Midwestern must-visit.

Minnesota: Hewing Hotel

Hotels.com

Location: Minneapolis

Rooftop swimming pools are a common thread among the properties receiving love by reviewers and U.S. News. The Hewing Hotel is no different. Rather than visiting a ginormous mall and fighting the crowds found even within its hotels, you can enjoy this converted warehouse property that is as hip as its rooftop looks. The property features the original building’s exposed brick, timber and industrial elements while paying homage to the state’s Scandinavian roots. The result is a hipster’s dream, and even non-hipster types toss around “oohs” and “aahs” when they visit.

Mississippi: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi

UR Comped

Location: Biloxi

Go big or go home when visiting Biloxi, Mississippi, home of casinos and coastlines. If you’re going to play to win, what better place to help you score than the Hard Rock, where good music, good food and good times are practically guaranteed? The property helps you experience the rock-star life, even if you do wake before noon. (The day and night pool parties aim to rival those in Las Vegas.) Still, when it’s time to catch much-need zzz’s, the rooms are sleek, yet comfy.

Missouri: Four Seasons St. Louis

Christian Horan / Four Seasons

Location: St. Louis

The Four Seasons — and rooftop pool — appear once again on this list, this time in the Gateway to the West. Enjoy St. Louis’ downtown with views of the Mississippi River and the Arch, which are both within walking distance of this upscale hotel. Rooms employ a wall of windows to ensure the views are spectacular from your soft bed perch. Dining at this Four Seasons also means the best of the nearby farmland’s produce, meats and ingredients to whet your appetite any time of day.

Montana: Triple Creek Ranch

Triple Creek Ranch

Location: Darby

If you’re heading to Montana, you’re likely seeking a bit of the authentic Western experience: horseback riding, hiking, fishing and all things outdoors with a stay in a truly rustic environment. Well, rustic yet upscale for that hint of “glamping” that has become all the rage. You’ll find it in spades at the Triple Creek Ranch, where guests stay in log cabins that come fully equipped with all one desires from a Relais & Chateaux property. The all-inclusive resort provides 5-star service in the mountains with daily horseback rides, fly fishing, skiing, biking and more included for the active traveler who wants to experience the Rockies.

Nebraska: Hotel Deco

The Mullers / Facebook

Location: Omaha

Think Nebraska can’t be hip? The Hotel Deco will argue otherwise. While you won’t need to dress in Gatsby-esqe attire for your stay at this Art Deco boutique, you will feel a bit like Jay and Daisy when you step into this lavish space. Taking 1930s style and giving it high-end modern luxuries, the Hotel Deco is the only 4-Diamond preferred hotel in the entire state. Why wouldn’t you want to stay here?

Nevada: ARIA Resort & Casino

ARIA Resort & Casino

Location: Las Vegas

Las Vegas has no shortage of expansive resorts armed with every trick in the book to allure you, from creating atmospheres right out of Italy and France to adding Broadway-worthy (if not Broadway-besting) entertainment. That’s not to mention celebrity chefs lending their names and recipes to restaurants that will have you avoiding the scale for weeks. Yet one property does it better than them all: ARIA. This property feels like an oasis in a sea of overindulgence, providing just the right amount of splurge and a whole lotta refinement. And, if you’re really lucky, you may experience the 5-Diamond Sky Suites that have their own entry and host of amenities (including that wonderful rooftop pool exclusive only to Sky guests) to make you feel like a celebrity.

New Hampshire: Omni Mount Washington Resort

Omni Hotels & Resorts

Location: Bretton Woods

To pull up to the Omni Mount Washington Resort is a rush as you witness one of the last-remaining grand hotels of the White Mountains, where once upon a time the likes of Rockefellers and presidents summered in high style. With the towering Mount Washington behind it, the resort features a lobby with wall-to-wall windows in the rear as to not obstruct the view. An expansive porch with rocking chairs beckons visitors for a sundowner after a day exploring the hotel’s activities, which have been extended into the winter to include skiing and snow sports. Omni has put its own touches on this Grande Dame in the form of an indulging spa and Stickney’s Steak & Chop Pub, which serves decadent Savenor’s Butcher meats, a fave of Julia Child. At more than a century old, the resort is part of the Historic Hotels of America.

New Jersey: ICONA Avalon

ICONA Avalon

Location: Avalon

The MTV reality show, “Jersey Shore,” painted New Jersey’s beachfront towns in a light of boardwalks run amok. In reality, much of the Shore is very quaint, charming and family-friendly, especially in the town of Avalon. Situated along seven miles of beach with its neighboring Stone Harbor, this is a small town filled with beach cottages, a walking boardwalk and lots of families — a safe haven from the debauchery of Seaside Heights and Atlantic City. The ICONA Avalon took a beachfront property and gave it a full facelift in 2016 to create an upscale resort where few are found. Providing waterfront views without the need to own a multimillion-dollar home, ICONA Avalon allows all of us to sample the good life, if only for a night or two.

New Mexico: The Inn of the Five Graces

The Inn of the Five Graces

Location: Santa Fe

You have never seen a hotel like the Inn of the Five Graces, a pueblo property that fills its spaces with color. You’ll find New Mexico’s Hispanic heritage mixed with relics found along the Silk Road that enhance the property’s Tibetan spa and mosaic tile-covered bathrooms. Adobe casitas with stone fireplaces, wooden beams and Moroccan-inspired door and window accents will leave you feeling that you are far beyond the borders of America.

New York: The Lowell Hotel New York

The Lowell Hotel New York

Location: New York City

On an island of hotels with world-renowned names like The Plaza, the Algonquin and the Waldorf-Astoria, U.S. News gives The Lowell a gold star. Perhaps, its Upper East Side locale and understated entrance help keep the property more exclusive? With just 47 suites and 27 rooms, The Lowell aims to provide private apartments for its guests, complete with wood-burning fireplaces, gourmet kitchens and terraces, which overlook the city. Plus, this is all within steps of Central Park and acclaimed retailers such as Chanel and Hermes.

North Carolina: The Umstead Hotel and Spa

Five Star Alliance

Location: Raleigh

North Carolina’s Research Triangle is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing areas for technology, healthcare and research businesses — all of which bring big budgets. Where else can someone with big expense accounts put up potential clients and employees than the 5-star Umstead in the heart of Raleigh? But this is not a place for business; this is a place for indulgence. From the spa to the large pool with cabanas to culinary delights from regional farms and afternoon tea service, don’t let the concrete structure fool you. This resort is all about wining and dining its guests properly.

North Dakota: Bowman Lodge and Convention Center

Bowman Lodge and Convention Center

Location: Bowman

After seeing so many beautiful properties that, let’s face it, might be a tad out of our budget, North Dakota’s best hotel is one that’s certainly more doable. The Bowman Lodge and Convention Center serves its purpose as one of the better properties in a state that is more about its outdoors than its indoors. Plus, it has an indoor pool.

Ohio: 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati

21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati

Location: Cincinnati

That unique museum hotel concept found in Louisville, Kentucky, crosses the nearby Ohio border to another location, once again receiving accolades as the best hotel in a state. Is it a sign we want more out of our hotel stays when we spend the money to leave our own beds? As in its Louisville counterpart, this location offers free entrance to all for its exhibits, but guests may also enjoy the hotel’s spa, dining and cocktail terrace, which overlooks downtown and the nearby Smale Riverfront Park.

Oklahoma: 21c Museum Hotel Oklahoma City

21c Museum Hotel Oklahoma City

Location: Oklahoma City

Well, well, well, 21c Museum Hotels must be onto something. Here’s one more museum hotel that lands on this best-of list, making it three of 50 — only Four Seasons (FS) appears more! While there is certainly those who prefer the lap of luxury offered at FS, these art museum hotels in converted warehouse spaces really are a hit. Housed in a former Ford Motor Company plant that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, rooms feature high ceilings and industrial-style windows that illuminate the spaces during daylight. A free shuttle is available to whisk guests — and their pets — downtown.

Oregon: Sentinel

AARP Travel Center

Location: Portland

The Sentinel is as vibrant and quirky as its West End Portland neighborhood, lending a culturally rich touch to every square inch for a worldly clientele. Rooms and suites are individually decorated so no two visits are alike, with some guest rooms featuring terraces overlooking the city. A lounge, spa and dining round out this boutique that U.S. News ranks at the top.

Pennsylvania: The Rittenhouse

J Public Relations

Location: Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s array of boutique and luxury hotel options will surprise you. At every turn, there is another glistening new space opening to welcome visitors to the birthplace of America. The Rittenhouse, located in charming Rittenhouse Square, may not be new, but it holds the key to Center City’s heart. Oversized rooms and suites look out onto the park square, mere steps from some of the city’s best restaurants and shopping, including its own French-inspired offerings.

Rhode Island: Ocean House

Ocean House

Location: Watch Hill

Tucked away in the western corner of Rhode Island is the historic — and completely renovated — Ocean House. Overlooking the waterfront and marina, this proud property has stood sentinel for more than 100 years. Only 49 rooms and 18 suites can be found behind the yellow resort’s 247 windows. Inside, more than 5,000 artifacts and furnishings dating as far back as its post–Civil War grand opening can be found, along with 8,000 bottles of wine found deep within the wine cellar! Guests enjoy a private and well-groomed beach and 13 green acres when visiting for a year-round traditional New England resort retreat.

South Carolina: Wentworth Mansion

SC Picture Proect

Location: Charleston

When you visit Charleston, South Carolina, you are immediately transported more than 100 years back to a world of Southern Belles and grand mansions. The historic center to this charming city is filled with colorful and original buildings that can help you imagine what life may have been like along the same city streets. Wentworth Mansion, constructed in 1886, is a 24,000-square-foot example of Southern wealth as the original home to Francis Silas Rodgers and his family of 13. Today, it’s a 21-room hotel, offering you a chance to live like the Rodgers once did, although there have been some changes. Its former carriage house fills in as the inn’s restaurant and the former stable houses a spa.

South Dakota: Bavarian Inn

Travel South Dakota

Location: Custer

When making your way through the Black Hills of South Dakota, inevitably you’ll arrive in Custer, where the General made his last stand. While it won’t be your last, it is the best place to lay a weary head after a day visiting our nation’s national parks, according to U.S. News. This quirky little hideaway is a perfect (and pet-friendly) place near Mount Rushmore, with small treats like a cookie happy hour and a pancake and parfait bar. The accommodations are simply comfortable, but it’s the small touches the owners of this boutique hotel offer that make it a favorite.

Tennessee: The Hermitage Hotel

The Hermitage Hotel

Location: Nashville

The epitome of style and grace in Nashville for more than 100 years, The Hermitage has been the place for celebrities, politicians and historical figures to see and be seen. The Beaux Arts architecture still creates awe for those who enter the lobby and public spaces, with rich Renaissance features of Italy and France evident in every detail. Rooms and suites still carry a traditional air with tall ceilings and furnishings that may feel somewhat like your grandmother’s stuck-in-time living room, but that’s just part of the hotel’s charm today.

Texas: Hotel Emma

Hotel Emma

Location: San Antonio

As you step into the lobby of Hotel Emma, you’ll start to believe that this was once a brewhouse during the 19th century — because it shows. This boutique property kept elements of the original structure to provide a unique style and decor, including the red engine components incorporated into the renovated design. Honoring Emma Koehler, who ran the brewery through Prohibition, the hotel is housed in the Pearl District, where the river flows and entertainment abounds. We love the style of the rooms, too.

Utah: Montage Deer Valley

Montage Deer Valley

Location: Park City

Utah’s high-end Park City is a skiing Mecca filled with luxe accommodations, but none as fine as Montage Deer Valley. Offering ski-in and out amenities, the mountainside resort is literally above all others. After time on the slopes, guests enjoy in-room fireplaces and a 35,000-square-foot spa to warm up and relax before enjoying world-class cuisine from onsite restaurants. But also visit during other times of the year, as the resort transforms into a hiking, biking and fishing destination in summer and fall.

Vermont: Twin Farms

Twin Farms

Location: Barnard

Tucked away into the green forests of Vermont is the 5-star, all-inclusive Twin Farms resort. This is not any old hotel stay; a visit here is considered a true experience. Aiming to make you feel as if visiting a second home, the farm was originally home to author Sinclair Lewis and his wife, journalist Dorothy Thompson. An all-season property, you’ll enjoy activities that coincide with the month, along with simple pleasures such as working on a puzzle, playing a game of billiards or listening to some music at the farm’s pub. Accommodations are found in the lodge, at the farmhouse and in cottages, with each location providing its own special sense of style.

Virginia: The Inn at Little Washington

The Inn at Little Washington

Location: Washington

A 5-star, 5-diamond boutique gem, the Inn at Little Washington is far from Washington, D.C., but well worth a visit to its Blue Hills Mountain location. Owned and operated by James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award–winning chef Patrick O’Connell, you would think this place would be all about the food. But in between sampling O’Connell’s masterpieces, the inn itself is intimate and utterly charming.

Washington: Four Seasons Hotel Seattle

Four Seasons

Location: Seattle

The Four Seasons has quite simply mastered the art of the rooftop swimming pool. The notion of being in a thriving city filled with skyscrapers yet lounging on a comfy chaise by an infinity pool that seems to drift off the edge of a building creates an exotic space in one that could be blah. In Seattle, the Four Seasons does it again: gives you the good life from a skyscraper providing some of the best views of Seattle, all within steps of the city’s best attractions. Those include the iconic Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum, with water views that stretch for miles.

Washington, D.C.: Four Seasons Hotel

Michael Kleinberg / Four Seasons

Location: Georgetown

The District of Columbia also had its many outstanding properties reviewed and included in the U.S. News list, and shocker, the winner is another Four Seasons! Although this city property doesn’t offer that coveted rooftop swimming pool (it’s located indoors here), it is located right down the street from one of the most famous addresses in the world: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Its Georgetown address and proximity to all things political make this hotel a prime spot for catching dignitaries from other nations, yet you’ll still receive ambassador treatment from the staff while you enjoy the same fine food and accommodations.

West Virginia: The Greenbrier

The Greenbrier

Location: Sulphur Springs

The Greenbrier really should be called America’s Hotel, as it is a grand white “house” that has been serving the people since 1778. As a historic property, more than half of America’s presidents have stayed here. After all, it is located in West Virginia’s aptly named George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. The decor remains traditional, but the amenities and activities offered at the property are thoroughly modern and make this hotel worthy of a destination trip.

Wisconsin: The American Club

Elite Meetings

Location: Kohler

Between Milwaukee and Green Bay rests a 5-star and 5-diamond property that has been dousing the Midwest in luxury for 100 years. Here, like others on the list, is a destination resort meant to be a retreat to throw off the tension and simply sit back and enjoy quality service, fine dining, tranquil surrounding and carefree days any day of the year. The beds back-draped with heavy curtains add a regal flair to a good night’s sleep. And the resort’s golf course, located near the shores of Lake Michigan, are considered some of the best links in the country.

Wyoming: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole

Don Riddle / Four Seasons

Location: Jackson Hole

Take one of the country’s most beautiful ski areas, on the cusp of the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park, and add a rustic, yet lavish resort operated once again by the Four Seasons, and you have another winner. The timbered resort melds well into its mountainous background with interior spaces a mesh of stone and wood to complement its Wyoming setting. Yet, as a Four Seasons, it provides all the bells and whistles one expects from the upscale hotelier company. But it also provides many that one wouldn’t expect, such as ski-in, ski-out amenities, nature safaris and stargazing. It’s these added touches that has landed so many Four Seasons locations on this best-of list.